New Forest Half MarathonHere's how RW members rated this race in the past (390 votes). | The big picture (390 votes) | | Overall score | | 83% | | How many would do it again? | | 88% | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 89% | | PB potential | | 57% | | Atmosphere | | 75% | | Organisation | | 74% | | Value | | 70% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 69% |
|
|
2012 race reviewed by: Anna Tibbs
 | | Would you do it again? | | Maybe | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 60% | | Value | | 60% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In full: The race started off well but the rain got worse and worse as we build up the miles. Overall it wasn't as bad as I heard from previous participants. The only hill that was a bit challenging was at mile 9, but apart from that the course is pleasant despite the horrible weather conditions we had on the day.
Date of review: November 7, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: greasygringo
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 100% | | Atmosphere | | 60% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: a great race on an awful day of weather
In full: on a day that had weather forecasts expecting apocalyptic conditions getting out and about in the new forest made the journey and day well worth it.as this was the 30th anniversary of this race i didnt want to miss it and was my first go at the new forest half.weather lashed down virtually thru the whole run but with the race starting in the middle of the town there was great support at the start and end of the race with scatterings of support along the route which went along moorland and windey roads.very scenic and loved the supporting messages as you run up 'the hill' which was great to encourage all to keep going.foil blankets at the end were worth their weight in gold and the medal was worthy of a 30th anniversary.surprisingly manged a pb in the conditions so on a fine day would expect pb's to be smashed as just enough inclines to keep runners from being bored.highly recommended.
Date of review: October 19, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Jim Clow
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: Great course, excellent organisation, Relentless rain, heroic marshalls
In full: The conditions for marshalls and officials were grim, unceasing rain all day, for the Half and the Marathon, but as usual they were cheerful and enthusiastic. This is a great course, with magnificent scenery, and a few testing climbs. The whole event is well organised. I enjoyed it very much. See you next year
Jim Clow
Date of review: September 25, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Brendan Cradden
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 100% | | PB potential | | 40% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 100% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: The weather was to say the least rough; hail rain and a cold wind but support and marshals were brilliant.
In full: The weather made this event a tough challenge. The usually most enjoyable running part of the course, the trails, was made extremely taxing due to the huge volume of water cascading from the sky and pouring down onto the trail from the heaths. The whole course was very well marshaled and all the drink stations efficient and supportive, the provision of an energy gel and the jelly babies near the end of the run was a great needed touch.Every overhead bridge turned into a dry sheltered sanctuary from were the hardy supporters cheered runners on. A great event and all the organizers and support staff are to be congratulated for overcoming all the extreme weather difficulties thrown at them. My race pack was lost in the mail and prior to the race with no delay I was given a new number and chip. Thank you and my 60+ age prize 30th anniversary plate a lovely memento.
Date of review: September 25, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: gavin mclean 3
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Superb organization and marshalls make for a great race
In full: My first time at the New Forest Half and I will definitely be back. A good competitive field and universally excellent marshals - the only pity was the weather! A few undulations meant it probably wasn't PB territory (I certainly fell a few minutes short), but it represented a good challenge for club runners and first timers.
Date of review: September 24, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Bettyspaghetti
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 100% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Great soggy fun
In full: What a splendid race, this was my first time at this race and what an experience. The weather was indeed rather wet and wild, but the marshals were so friendly and positive, the water stations responsive and the overall organisation slick.
There were several cheeky little hills but the support from the hardy locals (human and equine) helped the runners along. Although I missed getting a PB I will certainly be back.
Date of review: September 24, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: chris turner 11
| | Overall score | | 100% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: Loved it....will be back
In full: First time at the new forest and have to say loved it, yes the weather was shocking but the support from the Marshall's and supporters first class.. They deserved a medal in that weather.... Course wise I thought it was quite quick, hills yes, but enough downhill to recover any time lost... My only gripe re the course is it would be good to have 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m marks as had I known where the finish was I would have opened up earlier....the finish was well organised but why oh why was the catering van on the opposite side of the finish, surely it's possible to have the tea inside in future! Other than that top notch and highly recommended...
Date of review: September 24, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: SRP
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 80% | | Atmosphere | | 100% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 100% |
In full: Really nice run around the lovely New Forest. Horrendous weather but lots of great support and marshalling spread over the course.
Only gripe, I think could have been organised better at the finish due to the weather to avoid standing around in a queue getting even colder - foil blanket first, then drink/food.
Overall a great half marathon - definitely back next year. Nice 30th anniversary medal!
Date of review: September 24, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Jane Stedman
| | Overall score | | 80% | | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 80% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 80% |
In short: fantastic event with superb marshalls smiling in the face of adverse weather!
In full: Excellent race - organisation- marshalls - scenery and venue. One to do every year I think!!Thanks to all the organisers.
Date of review: September 24, 2012
|
2012 race reviewed by: Terence Earney
| | Would you do it again? | | Yes | | | | Details: | | Scenery | | 60% | | PB potential | | 60% | | Atmosphere | | 80% | | Organisation | | 80% | | Value | | 80% | | Beginner-friendliness | | 60% |
In short: A great race, despite appalling weather
In full: My 12th running of this race,and the route seemed to have changed a lot since my last running of it in 2004.
The atrocious weather failed to dampen the spirits of the runners, and personally, I ran several minutes quicker than expected.
Top marks for the hardy marshalls who stood out in the wind and rain for hours, and cheerfully encouraged us on our way.
It would have been a good idea to have put the banana, cerial bar, and water bottle in a goody bag, instead of having to carry them and then remove the chip without dropping eveything.
Car parking was efficient, and no problems in the getaway. My only slight complaint is that the signage to the runners car park was not very clear, and the boards could have been larger.
Date of review: September 24, 2012
|
| |
denotes Subscriber-only content | 
